The Waynesburg Yellow Jackets football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the Waynesburg University located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The team competes in NCAA Division III and is affiliated with the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Prior to joining the PAC, the team competed at the NAIA Division II level among other NAIA football independents. The school's first football team was fielded in 1895. The team plays its home games at the 4,000 seat John F. Wiley Stadium. Larry Wilson was hired as the head coach on December 23, 2025.

History Early History The first game in school history was played against a club team from West Virginia University, in which the Yellow Jackets won 10–0. On December 4, 1895, the first home game in school history was played at Greene County Fair Grounds. The game was described as a "a pig-fight in a hog-wallow."

After resuming play in 1921 following a four-year hiatus due to World War I, coach Frank N. Wolf recorded his first victory, ultimately becoming the school's all-time winningest coach, compiling a record of 65–63–10. Waynesburg captured its first Tri-State Conference title in 1924 and went on to win additional titles in 1932 and 1934 before leaving the conference in 1937. In 1939, the team played a pivotal role in television history by participating in the first televised football game, the 1939 Waynesburg vs. Fordham football game, during which Waynesburg’s Bobby Brooks scored the first-ever televised touchdown. The program resumed again after World War II in 1946 and continued to grow, joining the NAIA’s West Penn Conference in 1958. The 1960s saw success, highlighted by a perfect 11-0 season in 1966 that culminated in an NAIA National Championship under the direction of head coach Carl DePasqua.Waynesburg University to honor 1966 national championship football team George Von Benko (Herald-Standard). October 3, 2016

1960–1980 Waynesburg enjoyed unparalleled success during the 1960s and 1970s. The pinnacle being the 1966 NAIA football season which included notable players such as quarterback Harry Theofiledes and wide receiver Don Herrmann.Barmakian, Ed. "Don Herrmann is the Only Chatham High Graduate to Play Football in the NFL" , TAP into Chatham, August 28, 2017. Accessed July 23, 2018. "Don Herrmann, the kid who grew up on Ramapo Trail in Chatham Township, is the first graduate of Chatham High to make a career in the National Football League." The 1966 season culminated in the 1966 NAIA Championship Bowl, played in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Waynesburg defeated Whitewater State in the Championship Bowl, 42–21, to win their first NAIA national title.

The Yellow Jacket teams of the 1970s were notable for their rugged and heavy hitting defenses. Standout players included John Bristor, a Greene County native, who was named to the NAIA District 18 second team defensive unit in 1976, set a Waynesburg record for longest interception return for a touchdown with an 86-yard return against Geneva, and played cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

1980–2000

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Waynesburg achieved several milestones, including its 300th victory in 1983. The 1983 team was populated by NAIA All-American running back Otto Birkhead, team MVP Kevin Jozwiakowski, and veteran defensive back Steven Burchianti, whom the Indiana Inquirer described as one of "the best of the group."Waynesburg's Most Valuable Players Chris Bates (Democrat-Messenger). May 4, 1984Waynesburg College MVPs (Observer-Reporter). May 4, 1984Chaump's Forces Face Challenge of 10 Opponents Jed Weisberger (Indiana Gazette). September 2, 1982'Underdog' IUP, Chaump debut Saturday Jed Weisberger (Indiana Gazette). September 10, 1982Has Hard Work Paid off for Chaump, Braves? Jed Weisberger (Indiana Gazette). September 9, 1983 The signature win of the 1983 season was a 23–6 victory over Duquesne, highlighted by Burchianti’s fumble recovery and two interceptions.Big Defensive Plays Spur Jacket Win Over Dukes Chris Bates (Democrat Messenger). October 3, 1983

The team joined the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) in 1990 and captured its first PAC title in 1998. Major facility upgrades occurred in the late 1990s, including the construction of a new field house honoring Frank N. Wolf and the 4,000-seat John F. "Jack" Wiley Stadium.John F. Wiley Stadium Grace Zablosky (Clio). April 13, 2021

21st Century The early 2000s marked a period of record-breaking performances, with quarterback Jeff Dumm setting multiple school records and leading the team to its first NCAA Division III Playoff appearance in 2003.Dumm plays smart at California University Bruce Wald (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). August 22, 2004 Subsequent years featured more postseason appearances and individual accolades, including running back Robert Heller’s NCAA freshman rushing record and defensive end Mike Czerwien’s all-division NCAA career sacks record.Heller returns to Ringgold as head football coach Chris Dugan (Observer-Reporter). January 19, 2024

Waynesburg has also made six appearances in ECAC Bowl games, which are postseason matchups organized by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) primarily featuring programs from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The Yellow Jackets earned their first ECAC Bowl victory in 2012, defeating Carnegie Mellon 28–24 in the ECAC Southwest Bowl.Carnegie Mellon (6–5) -VS- # 24 Waynesburg (10–1) Box Score (Waynesburg Athletics) November 17, 2012

The Yellow Jackets have maintained numerous rivalries with their western Pennsylvania counterparts, namely with Geneva and Washington & Jefferson.

Head coaches

The team has had 22 head coaches since its first recorded football game in 1895. The current coach is Larry Wilson who first took the position for the 2026 season.

1895 Thomas D. Whittles 3–0 1896–1900, 1902–1916 Red Roberts 37–48–5 1923 Col. Brown 3–4–1 1924 Brit Patterson 7–2–1 1921–1922, 1928–1941 Frank N. Wolf 65–63–1 1925–1927 Dr. Roy E. Easterday 9–13–4 1942 Mark L. Booth 2–6–0 1946 Asa G. Wiley 0–7–1 1947–1950 J. Stanton Keck 17–15–3 1951–1954 John F. Wiley 22–9–1 1955–1958 John Popovich 12–16–4 1959–1962 Peter Mazzaferro 12–19–3 1963–1965 Michael Scarry 17–8–1 1966–1967 Carl DePasqua 19–1 1968–1972 Darrell Lewis 20–25 1973–1982 Hayden Buckley 52–32–3 1983–1986 William Tornabene 16–21–1 1987–1993 Ty Clarke 28–39 1994–2000 Dan Baranik 32–32 2001–2004 Jeff Hand 24–17 2005–2022 Rick Shepas 69–55 2017–2021 Chris Smithley 9–36 2022–2025 Cornelius Coleman 14–26 2026–present Larry Wilson 0–0

Championships National championships NAIA 1966 Whitewater State 42–21

Conference affiliation Independent, 1895–1923 Tri-State Conference, 1923–1937 Independent, 1937–1958 Western Pennsylvania Conference, 1958–1969 NAIA Independent, 1969–1990 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), 1990–present

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